CITY OF EVART
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
March 16, 2015
The Council meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Schmidt.
Present: Council – Mayor - Eric Schmidt, Dan Elliott, BJ Foster, Mayor Pro Tem Casey Keysor, Gregg
Sherman; City Clerk – Acting City Clerk Sarah Dvoracek; City Manager – Zack Szakacs; City Treasurer –
Sarah Dvoracek
Absent: NONE
Guests: Deb Struble, Maryann Borden, Larry Lauman, Miranda Lorenz, Ryan Douglas, Travis Douglas,
Seraphim Bieri, Mark Wilson, Joe Sinkler, Jan Taylor, Mona Lou Crawford, Kay Duesenberg-Wethington,
Nick Wethington, Patrick Muczynski, Rick Machleit, Lane Johnston, Jim White-City Attorney, Donald Tatara,
Jason O’Dell, Neil Feikema, Al Weinberg, and other members of the public.
Brief Public Comment:
Bill Bradley-1062 80th Ave. - stated he went to City Hall and filled out the form needed to be added to the water
run list. Mr. Bradley said he received no response two weeks later.
Board Comment:
City Manager, Szakacs stated the WWTP takes care of the highest priority first.
Brief Public Comment:
Deb Struble-213 ½ W. 7th St. - Ms. Struble stated she still does not have water and is hooked up to a neighbor’s
hose.
Board Comment:
Patrick Muczynski stated his first priority is to assist residents with no water and since Ms. Struble does have
water through the use of the neighbor’s hose.
Approval of the agenda:
Szakacs requested to add the DIGG Grant.
Szakacs requested to add South Oak St. Project-Request for Council Action to the agenda.
Moved by Elliott, seconded by Sherman to accept the agenda. Passed unanimously.
Approval of the minutes:
Council Meeting March 2, 2015, Council Meeting February 16, 2015, Council Meeting February 2, 2015, and
Council Meeting January 19, 2015 Minutes.
Mayor Schmidt made changes to spelling of names and the word unthaw to thaw to minutes on dated March 2,
2015. Corrections were made by Acting City Clerk, Sarah Dvoracek.
Moved by Foster, seconded by Sherman to approve the minutes stated above. Passed unanimously.
Special Council Meeting February 12, 2015 Minutes.
Moved by Elliott, seconded by Sherman to approve the Special Meeting minutes on February 12, 2015.
Passed unanimously.
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LDFA: Melora Theunick not in attendance
DDA: Al Weinberg reporting MEDC meeting will take place Friday, March 20, 2015 at 10 am for the rental
rehab grants. Concert series packets have been distributed. DDA applied for a grant from the Osceola County
Community Foundation. DDA is trying to expand the number of attendance at the concert series. DDA is
working on building more advertising, possibly have banners on the sides of the Depot. DDA has renamed the
Evart Musical to the “Summer Concert Series” to avoid confusion. Discussion was held.
Mayor Schmidt stated the Chamber of Commerce, DDA and LDFA will be sponsoring the 3rd Annual Egg Drop
on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 1 pm.
Unfinished Business:
DIGG GRANT/AWARD CONTACTS:
City Manager Szakacs, requested a resolution to award the two lowest bidders to the Main St Project for the
DIGG Grant. Szakacs requested authorization to sign all documents needed to move forward and mentioned
there is a clause in the resolution stating bids subject to City of Evart receiving the additional funds of
$82,000.00.
Moved by Foster, seconded by Keysor to give Szakacs permission to sign the documents to award the
DIGG Grant Main St Project to the two lowest bidders.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Mayor Schmidt, Keysor, Foster, and Elliott
Nays: Sherman
Passed 4 to 1.
2015/2016 Budget Worksheet:
City Manager Szakacs stated budget workshop is scheduled for April 20, 2015 during the council meeting. The
council has copies of the first draft numbers for the 2015-2016 budget.
City Clerk Appointment:
Szakacs stated he received 3 applications for the Clerk’s positon. The council has some options on who to
appoint as the new clerk. First option is to hold a special council meeting for interviews or the City can appoint
the runner up in the election held in November 2013 which would be Mrs. Heather Pattee. Szakacs
recommended to appoint Mrs. Heather Pattee as the new City Clerk. Discussion was held.
Moved by Foster, supported by Keysor to appoint Mrs. Heather Pattee as City Clerk.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Sherman, Foster, Elliott, Mayor Schmidt, and Keysor
Nays: None
Passed unanimously.
New Business:
Resolution/ 2015 Poverty Exemption
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Szakacs stated council must pass this resolution every year and the only item that changes in the resolution is
the poverty levels. Keysor asked how many applications the City receives. City Treasurer Dvoracek stated she
only received one application in two years.
Moved by Keysor, seconded by Schmidt to pass the 2015 Poverty Exemption Resolution.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Schmidt, Keysor, Foster, Elliott, and Sherman
Nays: None
Passed unanimously.
Parks and Recreation Committee Appointments Jay Wallace, Don Duncan & Amy Kitchen
Discussion followed.
Moved by Keysor, seconded by Foster to appoint Wallace, Duncan and Kitchen to the Parks and
Recreation Committee. Passed unanimously.
Oak St. Project Request for Council Action
Szakacs stated the City hired OHM to complete all the preliminary design work. OHM produced two quotes for
the City. The City Manager and WWTP recommend the higher bid of approximately $353,000 to include the
extended parking for the businesses. City Manager Szakacs stated the City is in the process of a special
assessment for Oak Street. Szakacs informed the City Assessor of the future plans. Discussion was held.
Moved by Elliott and seconded by Foster to approve the Oak St Project not to exceed $353,000.00.
Passed unanimously.
City Treasurer’s Report:
Dvoracek submitted monthly report.
Moved by Foster, seconded by Keysor to approve the Vendor’s List 03/16/2015. Passed unanimously.
City Manager’s Report:
Szakacs stated C&S has completed 90% of the Airport’s Runway Project Grant. In the next several weeks, the
airport project will go out for bid. The Runway Project Grant is for improvements. There is approximately
$261,000.00 left of the FAA Grant Funding. Hopefully a local contractor can bid the project.
The Well Head Protection Grant was completed last week. The Well Head Protection was paid by the State and
the City worked with Arcadis to complete a 5-7 year plan. The Well Head Protection Fields are safe and
everything went well.
Police Department:
Chief Backing reported the department attempted to hire a candidate but the background failed. The department
continues to advertising for qualified candidates. Chief stated regarding public relations, Sgt. Beam and herself
have participated in several school projects for March Reading Month and Internet Safety.
USDA Grant was approved for the new police vehicle 2016 Ford Inceptor. The total cost for the vehicle is
$41,673 and the award was for $17,250.00. The Department has funds to help make up the difference of
$24,423.00.
DPW:
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Wilson submitted his monthly report.
WWTP:
Patrick Muczynski stated the WWTP has been very busy. Muczynski stated the frost line is still at 4 ½ feet. He
has been working with two companies to assist residents in thawing their pipes. Discussion was held.
Foster questioned WWTP’s report for water and sewer numbers on pumpages for the month. Discussion was
held.
City Attorney Report:
Mr. White stated in the near future he must meet with City Manager Szakacs, Chief Backing, and some
members of the council to discuss the proposed amendments for Charter and ordinances changes. Discussion
was held.
Moved by Sherman, seconded by Foster to adjourn at 7:44 pm.
Sarah J. Dvoracek-Acting City Clerk/City Treasurer
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